Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith

Amidst chants of 'Bum Bum Bole', over 22,000 devotees set off from Baltal and Pahalgam base camps on Wednesday for pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine, marking the formal start of the annual yatra.

  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Amidst chants of 'Bum Bum Bole', over 22,000 devotees set off from Baltal and Pahalgam base camps on Wednesday for pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine, marking the formal start of the annual yatra. (AP Photo)
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  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    The yatra culminates inside the sanctum sanctorum of the cave shrine, housing the naturally-formed ice 'lingam' of Lord Shiva. (AFP Photo)
  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Over 13,000 pilgrims started from Baltal base camp, about 110 km from Srinagar, leading to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine. (AP Photo)
  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Around 9,000 pilgrims also started their two-day trek to the holy cave through the traditional Pahalgam route. (AP Photo)
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  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Security has been beefed up along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra. (PTI Photo)
  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Over 10,000 paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed along the yatra routes. (AP Photo)
  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    The authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrims. (AFP Photo)
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  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    Shelters and 'langars' have been set up at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps and other stations along the traditional route. (AP Photo)
  • Amarnath Yatra: Journey of faith
    More than 2.50 lakh pilgrims have registered for this year's pilgrimage, which will conclude on August 13 - coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. (PTI Photo)